Celebs to be auctioned

2009-06-22 14:47

Duncan Alfreds

Cape Town – Auction website Bidorbuy has announced that it is auctioning top South African celebrities for charity, but at least one on them – Leon Schuster – says he has no knowledge of the planned auction.

“No, I don’t know anything about that,” the actor told News24. “I don’t remember singing up for anything like that.”

According to the Bidorbuy announcement, Schuster and other South African celebrities - including Steve Hofmeyr, Barry Hilton and Freshly Ground singer Zolan - will be up for auction from Tuesday. The auction will close a week later on June 30.

“This impressive list shows that South Africa has generous celebrities who are ready to donate their time and allow their popularity to be used for worthy causes,” said Bidorbuy Managing Director Andy Higgins.

The charities listed include IkamvaYouth, an organisation whose aim is to provide disadvantaged secondary school learners with skills; Matla a Bana, an organisation dedicated to erasing child abuse; and the South African Anxiety and Depression Group, Africa’s largest mental health support and advocacy group.

Giving back to the community

Comedian Barry Hilton is aware that he will be auctioned and is looking forward to it, according to his representative, Angie Grant.

“These kids are having a hard time,” said Hilton. “We’re all part of the community and while I know that this thing is happening in Joburg, I feel it’s a way for me to give back to the community.”

Hilton added that he doesn’t often do charitable events, but that he felt that “if I can help a child, then that’s good enough for me”.

Hilton was however reluctant to speculate on what his bid would be saying: “Ag, if they bid the price of a hamburger and chips, I’ll be happy. But these guys don’t know that I fart and burp."